Vaccine Preventable Diseases
When we talk about vaccine-preventable diseases, we usually mean infections in children. Infections, on the other hand, are diseases caused by micro-organisms such as bacteria or viruses. Some of these infections are easily transmitted, especially in children whose immune systems are not yet developed, while others are not easily transmitted to other people.
When we talk about contagious childhood infections, we usually mean highly contagious infections such as tuberculosis, measles and chickenpox. Many of these diseases can be largely prevented or their harmful effects minimized by techniques called vaccines, which have been developed through years of scientific research. For some diseases, scientists are still working to develop vaccines. Thanks to these vaccines, many of the diseases that killed thousands of children in the past have now almost disappeared. For this reason, vaccines are one of the most effective disease control methods in preventing childhood infections and preventive medicine. In this article, we tried to briefly mention the diseases that can be largely prevented thanks to vaccines.
Against Which Infections (Diseases) Are Vaccines Protective?
Today, vaccines provide protection against Hepatitis (jaundice), Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Tuberculosis, Polio, Measles, Rubella, Mumps, Chickenpox, Pneumonia, Meningitis, Influenza, Rotavirus, Cervical Cancer (HPV).
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases 1: Hepatitis B Disease
Hepatitis B is a contagious infectious disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). When the infection becomes chronic, it can result in liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure and death. Hepatitis B is one of the diseases that can be prevented by vaccination and vaccines are provided free of charge by the state.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases 2: Diphtheria
Diphtheria, commonly known as croup, is a disease in which the bacterium Corynebacterium diphthteriae causes infection of the respiratory tract or skin. Before the development of a vaccine against diphtheria, it was a major cause of death worldwide, especially in children under the age of 15. Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease and vaccines are provided free of charge by the government. However, diphtheria cases are very rare today.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases 3: Tetanus Disease
Tetanus is a disease of the nervous system in which muscle contractions are caused by toxins produced by Clostridium tetani bacteria found in soil. Once in the body, the bacteria produce toxins that cause painful contractions, mainly in the neck and abdominal muscles. It can also cause breathing problems, seizures and paralysis and can be fatal if left untreated. Tetanus, which can be a dangerous and fatal disease, is one of the diseases that can be prevented by vaccination and vaccines are provided free of charge by the state.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases 4: Pertussis
Pertussis is a highly contagious infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis that causes severe coughing fits. Coughing fits can last for weeks and can cause pneumonia, seizures, brain damage and death. If your baby is infected, it can make it difficult for them to feed or even breathe. The disease is most common in babies and adolescents under one year of age. Pertussis is one of the diseases that can be prevented by vaccination and vaccines are provided free of charge by the state.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases 5: Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, also known as tuberculosis, is an infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis that mainly affects the lungs but can also damage the brain, kidneys or spine. This disease, which was feared and caused deaths in the past, is now largely under control thanks to vaccines.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases 6: Polio
Polio (poliomyelitis) is a highly contagious viral infection. Once the virus enters the body through the mouth, it can cause irreversible paralysis within hours. There is no cure, only treatment to relieve the symptoms. This disease, which caused many children to become disabled in the past, is one of the diseases that can be prevented by vaccination and is now largely under control.
Vaccine Preventable Diseases 7: Pneumococcal Diseases
Pneumococcal diseases are infections caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). Some of these infections are life-threatening. Pneumococcal bacteria are the most common cause of bloodstream infections (bacteremia), pneumonia, meningitis and otitis media, especially in young children. Of these, bloodstream infections and meningitis are particularly serious and often require hospitalization. Diseases caused by this infection, which can cause significant problems, can also be prevented by vaccination.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases 8: Rubella Disease and Vaccine
(In the Ministry of Health Vaccination Calendar, it is administered as Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Mumps (MMR) as a 3-valent mixed vaccine.) Rubella is an infection caused by the rubella virus, which usually causes a mild illness with a mild fever, sore throat and rash in children, but can cause serious birth defects in babies of unvaccinated pregnant women. Before the vaccine was available, the disease caused outbreaks every few years, mainly among school-age children.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases 9: Measles
Measles is a highly contagious infection in which the measles virus affects the whole body, starting in the respiratory tract in the throat and nose and spreading through the lymph nodes in these areas. It starts with fever, weakness, cough, runny nose, red eyes and then rash and can lead to complications such as ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, brain damage and death. Measles is a highly contagious disease that can be seen anywhere in the world. Measles is one of the diseases that can be prevented by vaccination.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases 10: Mumps Disease
Mumps is a virus transmitted by droplet transmission. It is a contagious disease that starts with fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, loss of appetite and continues with unilateral or bilateral swelling on the sides of the jawbone. The disease mostly affects school-age children and young adults of university age. It was a common cause of meningitis and deafness in childhood before a vaccine was available. Vaccines for mumps, one of the vaccine-preventable diseases, are provided free of charge by the state.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases 11: Hemophilus influenza type b (Hib) Disease
Hib (Haemophilus influenza type b) is a bacterium that is common in children under 5 years of age and causes many serious illnesses, including meningitis, which can lead to death. Hib infections pose a serious threat to every child under 5 years of age. The disease is easily transmitted by droplet infection when healthy children inhale the bacteria in the environment. Especially children in nurseries and kindergartens are at higher risk of contracting Hib infection.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases 12: Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a highly contagious infection caused by the Varicella zoster virus, with the main symptom being an itchy rash that turns into fluid-filled blisters and spreads all over the body. The chickenpox virus is transmitted by droplet spread from an infected person. The disease is usually a self-limiting infection in children, but can be very severe in adolescents, adults and people with weakened immune systems. Chickenpox is one of the diseases that can be prevented by vaccination and vaccines are provided free of charge by the state.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases 13: Hepatitis A
Inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus. The disease develops in a simple way, without complications. It passes within 2-3 weeks. The treatment is rest. The virus is transmitted through water, dirty food, stool and the stomach. The most important precaution is to wash all food thoroughly and make sure your hands are clean.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases 14: Rotavirus Disease (diarrhea)
Rota virus causes infection of the stomach and intestines, leading to watery diarrhea accompanied by vomiting, fever and abdominal pain. It is the most common cause of severe gastrointestinal infection in infants and children. Almost every child under 5 years of age is known to be infected. Highly contagious, rotavirus is spread through the feces of infected individuals. Transmission occurs through person-to-person contact or when the virus enters the digestive tract through the mouth from contaminated objects and utensils. Before the introduction of the vaccine, the virus caused more than 2 million hospitalizations and more than 400,000 deaths worldwide each year. Unfortunately, the vaccination fee for Rota Virus, which is one of the vaccine-preventable diseases, is not covered by the state.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases 15: Influenza Vaccine
Influenza is a viral infection that causes symptoms such as fever, cough, body aches, sore throat and runny nose, and can lead to hospitalization and death. The disease is milder after vaccination. Especially those in the risk group are recommended to be vaccinated. The flu vaccine is one of the vaccines whose cost is not covered by the state.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases 16: Meningococcal (Meningitis) Diseases
Meningococcal disease is a disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis that can affect even young people with nothing wrong with them and can be fatal within hours or cause permanent damage if left untreated. The two most common and serious infections caused by the bacteria are meningitis, an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, and a bloodstream infection called bacteremia or septicemia. It is transmitted by respiratory droplets or direct contact. Meningococcal disease is fatal in 10-15% of cases. In 20% of survivors, problems such as limb loss, hearing loss, nervous system problems or brain damage can occur. Unfortunately, the Meningococcal Virus vaccine, which we strongly recommend as a pediatrician, is among the vaccines that are not covered by the state.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases 17: HPV Infection (Cervical Cancer)
HPV infection is an infection caused by a virus called Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) that can cause cervical cancer and genital warts. It is the most common sexually transmitted disease, especially affecting the anus and external genitalia. This disease is also one of the diseases that can be prevented by vaccination, but the vaccination fee is not covered by the state.